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Careers for Political Science Majors


"What can I do with a degree in Political Science?"

Many people who studied political science in college did not intend to pursue politics or academics; nevertheless, they have found their degrees turned out to be useful in their careers. A few of these alums have shared their career stories with us. The answer to the above question is apparently, "just about anything!"

New Stories
The Federal government offers many non-political opportunities to put a degree in political science to good use. Three of our alums share their experiences in government service in the links below.

Many political science alums turn to the profession of law. A few who followed varying paths as lawyers were profiled in our 2007 department newsletter.
  • Ronald H. Clark, Ph.D. '70, Former political science professor who became a specialist on the False Claim Act (FCA)


  • David Gray Carlson '74, Professor of Law, Cardozo School of Law, Yeshiva University


  • Kathryn Fritz '81, Intellectual property specialist and managing partner for her law firm


  • Douglas R. Irminger '77, Chief Public Defender for the State of Maryland, Prince George's County


  • Sarah Nelson Bloom '80, Hearing Officer for NASD, Inc.


Our 2007 Newsletter also featured the career story of Cory Azumbrado Charles, MA '88, Senior Editorial Director and Executive Producer for International Guest Booking, CNN International.
Other political science alums who found their degrees useful in very different ways were featured in our 2006 department newsletter.
  • Kevin McClatchy '86, CEO and Managing General Partner, Pittsburgh Pirates


  • Brenda Zomalt (Doby) Flewellyn '74, Head of the Private Bank Entertainment Banking Division of Union Bank of California

  • Gloria Castillo '80, President of Chicago United, a corporate membership nonprofit organization


  • Marc Macarro '87, Chairman of the Pechanga Band, Luiseno Indians

  • Andrea Margolis '88, Director of Health for Children Now, an advocacy group based in Oakland.

  • Brett Bullington '76, Internet Entrepreneur, formerly with Excite.com.


  • Mitchell Sjerven '91. Restaurateur (owner of Bouchon, Santa Barbara).
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Four of our Ph.D. alums discussed their careers in "Transitioning to the Real World" in our 2004 department newsletter. Featured were:
  • Michael Hall,'02

  • Tiffany Willoughby-Herard, '03

  • Thomas Lum, '98

  • Laura Dodge, '03

Some of our political science alums have been profiled in past issues of the UCSB Alumni Association's quarterly magazine, Coastlines. Since this publication is not yet available on line at this time, short summaries are given below.

Barbara Bodine, '70. After receving her Master's degree from the Fletcher School, she had a lengthy diplomatic career in the U.S. Foreign Service, primarily in Southwest Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. She served as Ambassador to Yemen from 1997-2001. (Fall 2001)

Thomas L. Bryant, '65. After a short stint in the Foreign Service and as a radio broadcaster, he joined the staff of Road & Track magazine, becoming its Editor-in-Chief in 1988. (Summer 2002)

Marc I. Grossman, '73. Another political science alum with a long history in the Foreign Service. He served as Ambassador to Turkey 1994-97 and held various positions in the State Department through 2005. He is currently Vice Chairman of The Cohen Group, a consultant service. (Summer 2001)

Thomas A. Morgan, '63. Formerly Assistant Atheletic Director for UCSB, Morgan spent many years promoting the sport of golf, serving primarily in the Southern California Golf Association from which he recently retired after a 10-year stint as their Executive Director. (Summer 2001)

Lynn Scarlett, '70. Formerly President of the Reason Foundation, she was appointed to the Interior Department as an Assistant Secretary in 2001. She was confirmed as Deputy Secretary in 2005 and served as Acting Secretary of the Department until May 2006. (Winter 2002 & Summer 2005)